Introduction- In order to prepare students for living and working in the 21st century, educators must use innovative practices to teach critical thinking skills, problem solving, collaboration, communication, and information and media literacy (Moreillon, 2007). Collaboration between the librarian and the teacher can help to create many effective and differentiated teaching strategies and engaging lessons to address these needs. Along with the students, adminstrators, the teacher, and librarian gain many benefits from the partnership of the two educators. In almost every situation in life, the saying of "two heads are better than one" is considered true, so why not utilize this situation in the school envirornment with teachers and librarians.
I.Classroom-library collaboration-benefits to students A. Puts focus on learning outcomes B. learn to self-evaluate C. More independent attention D. Make cross-curriculum connections E. begin to enjoy working in the library F. learn to do research G. provides a model of collaboration that students can use in their own efforts to collaborate with their peers H. builds critical thinking and inquiry I. increases creativity
II. Classroom-library collaboration- benefits to teachers A. Develop a common language (goal) B. Share knowledge of craft C. Develop channels of communication D. Making connections E. Create learning opportunities for themselves and for each other (CS4TRC),p.7 F. Increases opportunities to work with individual students G. More productive planning H. More ideas
III. Classroom-library collaboration- benefits to librarians A. prove value B. job security C. job satisfaction D. learning new ideas and best practices
IV. Benefits to administrators A, global perspective of acedemics of school B. realizes the benefits of collaboration for teachers C. academic programs are strengthened D. supports accountability for student achievement on standardized tests E. helps to build a collaborative culture in the school community that benefits all stakeholders F. increases job-embedded training opportunities for staff G. builds shared responsibility among teachers, librarian, and administrators
Conclusion: Collaboration between the teacher and the librarian has demonstrated to be a very powerful tool for advancing student learning and achievement and has proven to be very beneficial for all stakeholders in the learning community. However, teachers and librarians must be able to overcome obstacles such as inflexible schedules, time limitations, and overcoming an isolationist culture where teachers and administrators are resistant to try something new or unfamiliar. According to Small (2002, 10) (in article by Barbara Schultz-Jones Collaboration in the School Social Network) "collaborations cannot be fully realized without creating a collaborative culture in which all partners see the importance and understand the benefits of collaboration to themselves, each other and their students." It is our job as a teacher librarian to ensure the entire campus and district realizes the benefits of the teacher and librarian collaboration. Ensuring this realization might require some of us to step outside our comfort zone and seek out those teachers that are willing to take the plunge with us. Communication and positive relationships with administration is crucial in forming the basis to a successful librarian-teacher collaboration (Ash-Argyle 4). We believe that the best way librarians can face these obstacles is by developing social networks, aligning with teachers who are receptive to collaborative partnerships, and sharing with all stakeholders the positive outcomes for students from these collaborative efforts. Once administrators, teachers, and community members begin to perceive the role of the librarian as equal partners with teachers in educating students and see the benefits to student achievement, then a culture of collaboration can develop. Finally, we believe it is the responsibility of the librarian to affect change in the school culture towards that of a collaborative learning community. In order to do this, librarians must prepare themselves to become key players in the academic program of their school by attaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be an equal partner with teachers in helping student academic success. Working toward this goal will assure future job security for school librarians and greatly benefit all stakeholders.
Works cited: Moreillon, Judi.
Ash-Argyle, Ruth, and Snunith Shoham. "Librarians' Leadership Efficacy, Training, And School Involvement: Collaboration Between Teachers And School Librarians In Israel." School Libraries Worldwide 18.1 (2012): 1-17. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 7 Feb. 2013.
Schultz-Jones, Barbara. "Collaboration In The School Social Network." Knowledge Quest 37.4 (2009): 20-25. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 July 2012.
Introduction- In order to prepare students for living and working in the 21st century, educators must use innovative practices to teach critical thinking skills, problem solving, collaboration, communication, and information and media literacy (Moreillon, 2007). Collaboration between the librarian and the teacher can help to create many effective and differentiated teaching strategies and engaging lessons to address these needs. Along with the students, adminstrators, the teacher, and librarian gain many benefits from the partnership of the two educators. In almost every situation in life, the saying of "two heads are better than one" is considered true, so why not utilize this situation in the school envirornment with teachers and librarians.
I.Classroom-library collaboration-benefits to students
A. Puts focus on learning outcomes
B. learn to self-evaluate
C. More independent attention
D. Make cross-curriculum connections
E. begin to enjoy working in the library
F. learn to do research
G. provides a model of collaboration that students can use in their own efforts to collaborate with their peers
H. builds critical thinking and inquiry
I. increases creativity
II. Classroom-library collaboration- benefits to teachers
A. Develop a common language (goal)
B. Share knowledge of craft
C. Develop channels of communication
D. Making connections
E. Create learning opportunities for themselves and for each other (CS4TRC),p.7
F. Increases opportunities to work with individual students
G. More productive planning
H. More ideas
III. Classroom-library collaboration- benefits to librarians
A. prove value
B. job security
C. job satisfaction
D. learning new ideas and best practices
IV. Benefits to administrators
A, global perspective of acedemics of school
B. realizes the benefits of collaboration for teachers
C. academic programs are strengthened
D. supports accountability for student achievement on standardized tests
E. helps to build a collaborative culture in the school community that benefits all stakeholders
F. increases job-embedded training opportunities for staff
G. builds shared responsibility among teachers, librarian, and administrators
Conclusion: Collaboration between the teacher and the librarian has demonstrated to be a very powerful tool for advancing student learning and achievement and has proven to be very beneficial for all stakeholders in the learning community. However, teachers and librarians must be able to overcome obstacles such as inflexible schedules, time limitations, and overcoming an isolationist culture where teachers and administrators are resistant to try something new or unfamiliar. According to Small (2002, 10) (in article by Barbara Schultz-Jones Collaboration in the School Social Network) "collaborations cannot be fully realized without creating a collaborative culture in which all partners see the importance and understand the benefits of collaboration to themselves, each other and their students." It is our job as a teacher librarian to ensure the entire campus and district realizes the benefits of the teacher and librarian collaboration. Ensuring this realization might require some of us to step outside our comfort zone and seek out those teachers that are willing to take the plunge with us. Communication and positive relationships with administration is crucial in forming the basis to a successful librarian-teacher collaboration (Ash-Argyle 4).
We believe that the best way librarians can face these obstacles is by developing social networks, aligning with teachers who are receptive to collaborative partnerships, and sharing with all stakeholders the positive outcomes for students from these collaborative efforts. Once administrators, teachers, and community members begin to perceive the role of the librarian as equal partners with teachers in educating students and see the benefits to student achievement, then a culture of collaboration can develop. Finally, we believe it is the responsibility of the librarian to affect change in the school culture towards that of a collaborative learning community. In order to do this, librarians must prepare themselves to become key players in the academic program of their school by attaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be an equal partner with teachers in helping student academic success. Working toward this goal will assure future job security for school librarians and greatly benefit all stakeholders.
Works cited:
Moreillon, Judi.
Ash-Argyle, Ruth, and Snunith Shoham. "Librarians' Leadership Efficacy, Training, And School Involvement: Collaboration Between Teachers And School Librarians In Israel." School Libraries Worldwide 18.1 (2012): 1-17. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 7 Feb. 2013.
Schultz-Jones, Barbara. "Collaboration In The School Social Network." Knowledge Quest 37.4 (2009): 20-25. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 July 2012.